Albion manager Chris Hughton says he is glad to have kept hold of Dale Stephens.

The recent Derby County transfer target’s increasing midfield influence was emphasised by the decisive goal in Tuesday’s 2-1 win against rock-bottom Rotherham at the Amex which extended the Seagulls’ lead at the top of the Championship to five points.

The Argus revealed last month that Derby had two bids rejected for Stephens in the final fortnight of the transfer window, the second understood to be around £2.5 million.

Hughton said: “We know the quality that he’s got. He had a difficult time last season, missing the first half of it through injury, and probably spent the period when he got fit getting back into the rhythm of his game.

“He had a good pre-season and he’s giving us a really good contribution.”

Stephens’ sweet, 20-yard strike which put Albion 2-0 up against Rotherham was his first goal since April and fifth in 37 appearances since signing from Charlton in a deal worth around £700,000 in the January 2014 transfer window.

Hughton said: “I’m really pleased for him because his contribution in games has been very good.

“He’s a super, all-round player. He can break into the box, he can get into some good positions, he’s been having chances, and I thought he deserved that.”

Stephens’ central midfield partnership with Israel international Beram Kayal is pivotal to Hughton’s hopes of keeping Albion at the head of affairs as they go to Wolves on Saturday seeking a seventh win out of eight.